Faleh Bughenaim guides The Strikin Viking to victory. PICS: Marc Ruhl
Doha, Qatar: The Strikin Viking (Inns Of Court), a progressive 3-year-old gelding, gained the biggest success of his career with victory in the Gr.3 155th Casino Baden-Baden Goldene Peitsche, Germany’s historic sprint contest, run over 1200m at Baden-Baden.
The race yesterday, open to 3-year-olds and upwards, drew a strong international field of ten sprinters.
Trained by Hamad Al Jehani, ridden by Faleh Bughenaim and carrying the silks of Wathnan Racing, the gelding came into the race on the back of a solid third in the Listed Queensferry Stakes at Chester. Building on that effort, he stepped up again to secure his first Group success.
Quickly into stride, The Strikin Viking broke well and was soon among the leaders, disputing the pace in the opening stages with the favourite Arabie (Dandy Man) on the stands’ side. The pair pressed on while War Bride (Soldier’s Call) tracked close behind and Zerostress(Areion) raced handily against the rail.
The connections of The Strikin Viking celebrate their win.
Travelling smoothly in front, The Strikin Viking held a narrow advantage as Arabie began to come under pressure approaching the final two furlongs.
Sent for home by Faleh Bughenaim, he opened up a clear length advantage while Arabie weakened inside the final furlong.War Bride found room and gave chase, closing strongly while Zerostress also picked up late. But The Strikin Viking was always in control, showing both grit and speed to hold off War Bride by three-quarters of a length at the line. Zerostress finished well to take third.
Bred by Tally-Ho Stud, The Strikin Viking is out of Asmeen (Shamardal), an unraced mare.
He is a half-brother to Chorlton Lane (Mehmas), a winner over 1400m at two and Gr.3-placed over 1600m at three.
Asmeen is out of Askeria (Sadler’s Wells) and is a half-sister to Ashraf (Cape Cross), a dual winner over 1600m and 1900m and fourth in Listed company over 2000m at three, as well as to Askerana (Pivotal), a winner over 2000m at three.
